Field Music: "Tones of Town"

As a reviewer, one of the most difficult things to do is review an album that you're entirely infatuated with. It would be easy to rant on and on about how great an album is without pointing out it's flaws or shortcomings. And here I find myself with Field Music's newest release. I am not familiar with their previous work, so I'm beginning with a fresh slate here. However, I cannot get over the greatness of "Tones of Town." In many ways, it is a perfect album, stringing together 11 solid pop songs effortlessly, and completely enthralling me in the process.

Why would I call it perfect? Because these songs are all really great, and there's really not one song that I could do away with on the album. Whether it's the heavy guitars of "Give It Lose It Take It," the playful melodies of "A House is Not a Home," or the haunting harmonies of "Kingston," there's not a moment on this album that fails to impress. Every song is rich with complexty without foregoing a steady, upbeat pop feel. Take "Tones of Town," for example, a song that merrily floats along in the beginning but eventually erupts with distorted guitars and vocals, only to melt away into a friendly bopping guitar solo before it's over. Field Music is a very talented group, but unlike so many other talented bands, they're immediately accessible. They're not going to beat you over the head with complex riffs, and mind-boggling melodies. The mere fact that they can fully display their vast talents while still being fun is awesome.

In "Working to Work," the singer nonchalantly notes, "Leisure is useless when you find that nothing ain't easy when you're working to work" over a steady guitar and drum beat. It's a great song, and one that you'll probably find yourself singing along to after just a few listens. Then there's "A Gap Has Appeared" a song that opens with the delicate flutters of piano and violin before sounding like a collaboration of Queen and The New pornographers. It runs head-on into the undeniably catchy "Closer at Hand" where the singer states, "The questions we tend to ask are useless if time is too fast."

It's very difficult to convey the awesomeness of "Tones of Town" to someone who is not familiar with Field Music. Their music has a very timeless feel to it, and as I've already stated numerous times, it's pretty flawless. It's only real downside is it's brevity, clocking in at just over 30 minutes. But during that time you're almost guaranteed to smile, sing, dance, or some other carefree activity. Fans of bands like The Shins should have very little trouble liking this album as it's not too different from that bands better moments. While 2007 has already begun to show it's great selection of music, "Tones of Town" is definitely the most solid and enjoyable album to release thus far this year. You absolutely have to listen to it!

Recommended for fans of Field Music, The Shins, The Hidden Cameras, and anyone who wants to hear what will probably be one of the top five albums of 2007.

Key Tracks:
1. "Sit Tight"
2. "A House is Not a Home"
3. "Working to Work"
4. "Closer at Hand"
5. "Place Yourself"

9 out of 10 Stars